'Selfish' burglar behind bars as drop of blood links him with Sunderland coffee shop break-in

Kevin Thoburn, 39, smashed his way into the Hideout Coffee House, on the Lower Promenande at Roker, Sunderland, stealing cash from the till and leaving broken glass and debris in his wake.

It’s believed he took around £10 in change from the premises, before rifling through the shop’s tins and boxes in a bid to find anything else of value.

Northumbria Police officers spotted a tiny drop of blood left behind at the scene, passing it on to the force’s Scientific Support Unit.

The discovery went on to be forensically linked with Thoburn, of Hylton Grange, who pleaded guilty to burglary before magistrates last week.

The incident took place in the early hours of Monday, July 6.

Detective Constable Neil Swainston, of Northumbria Police, issued a statement following Thoburn’s sentencing, which took place on Wednesday, July 29.

He said: "Kevin Thoburn should be ashamed of his actions - he showed a total disregard for the business owners and looked to steal items from within for purely selfish gains.

"However, unfortunately for him, he left a little more than he had hoped behind at the scene of his crime and a small spot of his blood was enough for our brilliant forensic experts to irrefutably link him to the burglary.

"It is another reminder that the smallest drop of blood, saliva or other bodily fluid can now be used to bring burglars to justice.

"I sincerely hope he uses this time behind bars to think carefully about the serious consequences that his actions have on the community."

Thoburn was jailed for 18 weeks and ordered to pay £128 compensation.

Speaking at the time of the break-in, owner Hayley Dobbing – who runs the business with sister-in-law Janet Blasi – spoke of her anger after the shop was ‘ransacked’.

If you are a victim of crime, or see anybody acting suspiciously in your area, contact Northumbria Police on 101 or via the force website. In an emergency, ring 999.

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